Drip pan



- May 6, 1958 ca. R. LUNDELIUS DRIP PAN Filed March 6, 1956 Gus R. 'Lunde/ius INVENTOR.

BY MM United htates Patent DRIP PAN Gus R. Lundelius, Round Rock, Tex., assignor of one laalf to (Iharles R. Lundelius, Round Rock, Tex.

Application March 6, 1956, Serial No. 569,899

1 Claim. (Cl. 184-106) The present invention relates to new and useful improvements in 'drip pans for use particularly in garages, car ports, etc., and has for its primary object to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, novel means-for catching and retaining the lubricants which frequently drip from motor vehicles occupying the garage or port.

Another very important object of the invention is to provide a drip pan or catcher of the aforementioned character which may be readily removed to permit sweeping of the floor and which, further, is foldable to facilitate storing when not in use.

Other objects of the invention are to provide a foldable drip pan of the character described which will be comparatively simple in construction, strong, durable, of light weight and which may be manufactured at low cost.

These together with other objects and advantage-s which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawing forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a drip pan constructed in accordance with the present invention, showing the device open or unfolded;

Figure 2 is a perspective view, showing the device folded;

Figure 3 is a detail view in perspective of one of the hinge connections between the foldable frame sections; and

Figure 4 is a fragmentary view in section, taken substantially on the line 4-4 of Figure 1.

Referring now to the drawing in detail, it will be seen that the embodiment of the invention which has been illustrated comprises a substatnially rectangular frame of suitable metal which is designated generally by the reference character 5. The frame 5, which may also be of any desired dimensions, includes a pair of duplicate, substantially U-shaped foldable half section 6. At longitudinally spaced points the sides of the frame 5 include depending, substantially U-shaped portions or loops providing supporting legs 7. Then, the ends of the frame 5 are formed to provide horizontally projecting, substantially U-shaped handles 8.

The frame sections 6 are pivotally connected through the medium of hinges 9. Toward this end, the frame ice sections 6 terminate in transversely aligned loops or eyes 10 (see Figure 3). A transverse rod 11 of suitable metal 7 comprises, adjacent its ends, upstanding substantially U-shaped portions or loops 12 which are engaged in the eyes 10 for pivotally connecting the frame sections 6 and for mounting said rod thereon.

Mounted in the frame 5 is a flexible sheet or panel 13. The sheet or panel 13 may be of any suitable oil-proof material. The marginal portions of the flexible sheet or panel 13 are secured in any suitable manner to the frame 5, as indicated at 14.

It is thought that the use of the device will be readily apparent from a consideration of the foregoing. Briefly, the pan or catcher is unfolded and positioned on the floor of the garage or car port and the vehicle is driven thereover. Or, to ensure correct positioning, the device may be slid under the vehicle after it has entered the garage or car port. Then, any lubricant dripping from the vehicle will be caught and retained by the flexible, oil-proof sheet or panel 13. The legs 7 support the sheet or panel 13 in elevated position out of contact with the floor. The transverse rod 11 will support the central portion of the sheet or panel 13 should it sag excessively under the weight of lubricants accumulated thereon. When it is desired to sweep the floor, the device may be readily folded as seen in Figure 2 of the drawing and placed or hung in an out-of-the-way position. The handles 8 facilitate handling the device.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed. For instance the legs 7 may be omitted, if desired, permitting the frame 5 to rest directly on the floor.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

A drip pan to be positioned beneath a motor vehicle for catching and retaining lubricants dripping therefrom, said drip pan comprising a rectangular foldable frame including substantially U-shaped half sections terminating in aligned end loops, said half sections comprising depending, substantially U-shaped supporting legs at spaced intermediate points, a flexible panel mounted in the frame, and a supporting rod for said panel extending transversely therebeneath and including substantially U-shaped end portions engaged in the loops for hingedly connecting the half sections and mounting said rod thereon.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 588,925 Lawrence Aug. 24, 1897 1,243,950 Kinniker Oct. 23, 1917 1,248,150 Moody Nov. 27, 1917 2,756,441 Shannon July 31, 1956 

